What is wheezing?

Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound that can occur during breathing, usually when breathing out and sometimes when breathing in. This happens when your small airways become narrowed or blocked, making it harder for air to pass through. Adults and children can develop wheezing.

There are many reasons why you may wheeze. Wheezing can begin suddenly and be a sign of a life-threatening emergency. It can also be a symptom of a chronic (long-term) condition.

Wheezing can be mild or severe.

What symptoms are related to wheezing?

Wheezing may be related to these symptoms:

• cough
• shortness of breath
• discomfort or tightness in your chest
• breathing quickly
• difficulty breathing

Your symptoms will depend on what is causing your wheezing.

What causes wheezing?

Wheezing has many possible causes, including:

• chronic lung conditions — asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• chronic medical conditions — heart failure, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and vocal cord dysfunction
• respiratory (chest) infections — bronchitis, bronchiolitis, pneumonia and tuberculosis
• allergies — allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and anaphylactic (allergic) shock
• exposure to bush fire smoke, second-hand smoking (passive smoking) and dust storms
• inhaling (breathing in) a foreign object that partially blocks your airways
• some medicines — aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and beta-blockers

The most common causes of wheezing in children depend on their age:

• In babies younger than 12 months, wheezing is usually caused by bronchiolitis.
• In children aged 1 to 5 years, wheezing is most often caused by a viral respiratory tract infection, while asthma is less likely.

In rare cases, babies can develop chronic wheezing, caused by tracheobronchomalacia.

Read about coughs in babies and colds and flu in babies and children.

How is the cause of wheezing diagnosed?

Your doctor can diagnose the cause of your wheezing by:

• asking you about your medical history and symptoms
• doing a physical examination and listening to your lungs with a stethoscope
• ordering tests, for example blood tests, chest x-ray or other types of imaging, lung function test or bronchoscopy

When should I see my doctor?

You should see your doctor if you are:

• wheezing and want to know the cause and how to treat it
• taking treatment for wheezing but your symptoms are not improving
• worried about your health

When to seek urgent care

If you or someone else is having severe trouble breathing or showing signs of a severe asthma attack or anaphylactic shock, call triple zero (000) immediately or go to your nearest emergency department.

If your child is suddenly wheezing and you think they have inhaled a foreign object or are having a severe allergic reaction, call triple zero (000) immediately or go to your nearest emergency department.

You should seek urgent care if:

• you are experiencing an anaphylactic shock
• you have trouble breathing
• you are having a severe asthma attack
• you think your child has inhaled a foreign object
• your baby is younger than 12 months and suddenly starts wheezing

How is wheezing treated?

Treatment for wheezing depends on the cause. Your doctor will make a diagnosis and recommend treatment.

Your doctor will first make sure your breathing is stable. They will treat your symptoms and the cause of your wheezing. Treatment may include self-care at home, medicines and other procedures.

Many children aged 1 to 5 years who wheeze do not need treatment, unless their symptoms affect their wellbeing.

Self-care at home

Managing wheezing at home involves avoiding known triggers like cigarette smoke or allergens. Read more about managing hay fever.

If wheezing is new, severe or if you have symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath, do not try to manage wheezing at home. You should seek medical advice promptly.

If you have a diagnosed condition and your doctor has prescribed medicines, self-care includes taking your medicines on time and following your doctor’s instructions. If you are unsure how to use an inhaler device, see your local pharmacist.

Medicines for wheezing

Your doctor may prescribe medicines to treat the cause of wheeze and manage your symptoms, such as:

• reliever puffers to stop wheezing — such as salbutamol
• preventative puffers — if you have symptoms between flare-ups
• antibiotics — if you have a bacterial infection
• antihistamines — if wheezing is caused by hay fever

Read about medicines for asthma.

Other treatment options

Other treatment your doctor might recommend includes:

• oxygen therapy — if your blood oxygen levels are low
• bronchoscopy — if you inhaled a foreign object
• allergen immunotherapy — if the wheeze is caused by hay fever

Your GP may also refer you to a specialist doctor for other treatment.

What are the complications of wheezing?

Some conditions that trigger wheezing can cause serious complications if left untreated. These include:

• life-threatening asthma attack
• life-threatening anaphylactic shock
• serious COPD exacerbation
• pneumonia

Complications of wheezing in babies and young children include feeding challenges, poor weight gain and developmental delays.

Chronic wheezing can affect your quality of life, sleep and wellbeing.

Can wheezing be prevented?

You can reduce your risk of wheezing by avoiding triggers and managing your health. Here are some prevention strategies:

• Do not let young children play with small toys or eat foods that are a choking risk.
• Take your asthma, heart failure or COPD medicines as prescribed.
• Avoid cigarette smoke and air pollution.
• Keep your home free from dust and mould.

Resources and support

• Read about:
  • choking, suffocation and swallowed objects in babies and children
  • thunderstorm asthma
  • dust storms
  • controlling your environment against allergies
• Learn more about wheezing in children at HealthyWA.
• Read about living with asthma on the National Asthma Council Australia website.
• Visit the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) for frequently asked questions about asthma and anaphylaxis.

You can call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

Lung Foundation Australia has information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples on looking after your lungs.

Other languages

The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) has translated their first aid for anaphylaxis fact sheet into many community languages.